1 John Bible Study and My Testimony!

Words I love: "GOOD MORNING GIRLS!"

Thanks to Courtney from Women Living Well, I have joined thousands of women in a walk through 1 John this fall. It's a verse-by-verse Bible study where you read in your own quiet time each day and then connect with your accountability group. Courtney's enthusiasm for the Word of God and love for others is so encouraging.

My dear friend Deanna and I started a group on Facebook called Busy Mommas GMG Group! It started with the two of us and as of today we have 15 wonderful ladies in our group!

Each of us are taking time to introduce ourselves, write a little about our families and also our testimonies! I LOVE making new friends with like-minded women of God!

I know that the next three months will pass quickly and I'm very excited to measure my spiritual growth at the end of it - just in time to celebrate Jesus' birth!

So far (this is only day #3), I have been challenged by 1 John to SHARE my testimony and NOT hold back. I am to GIVE a good report of what the Lord has done in my life and to share with others what He has taught me in His Word!!!


The biggest revelation to impact me on Day #2 (1 John 1:2) was the word "bear witness" - it's the word martyreō which means "to affirm what one has seen, heard, or experienced something or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration" (YES!). It also means "to GIVE (not keep back) testimony, give a good report and implore".


So... here goes... (I didn't start this post with the idea of sharing my testimony but I'm glad to!)



I was born into a loving, Christian home. My parents had been saved for a few years and when their firstborn baby girl came along, I'm sure they wanted to parent by the books and by the Spirit.

I remember my mom and dad praying over me each night before going to sleep, singing sweet songs in the Spirit, and encouraging my sister and I to know and love Jesus.

We went to church twice (or more) times a week, attending Sunday school and other classes for kids. During the week I also attended the Christian school that was held in our church building - memorizing scripture and learning about God in each class.

My parents weren't perfect but they loved, protected, and taught us so very well. I'm so grateful for them!

Mom and Dad - May 2011

The summer I turned 11, my parents held a garage sale to sell everything that wouldn't fit in the back of our van (or that we weren't storing somewhere), and we moved to Mexico.

For three years we assisted various churches, ministries,and an orphanage, and lead Bible studies in our home. My sister and I learned Spanish pretty quickly and the experiences we had there I wouldn't change for anything. They are forever imprinted on my heart.

When we returned from the mission field I didn't know where I belonged. My friends had grown and changed, as did I. I returned to my private school for 9th grade and enjoyed it mostly.

10th grade brought many changes, the biggest one - starting public school for the first time! I had never ridden a bus to school, never been in a graduating class larger than 30 students, and had NEVER heard the filthy language that I heard by just walking down the halls of my school!

First day of 10th grade - Me and my Dad!

I made some great friends on the track and cross country team - people of character and focus. I learned a lot from joining those two sports. But as I continued making different friends my interests changed.

I took up smoking cigarettes. Then went to a party here and there. Drank a bit. Tried smoking pot. I kept telling myself, "If I'm a sinner and a bad person, even if just a little bit, I'm not going to pretend I'm GOOD. I'll just do what I want." Looking back I hadn't truly experienced Christ's amazing grace. Yes, I had invited Jesus into my heart at age 3, asked Him to be Lord of my life at age 7, and had been water baptized at age 10. But for some reason I had to experience Him saving me from myself, my sin, my filth after I wallowed in it a while.

After high school (graduating only by my parent's prayers and encouragement) I moved out on my own - well not completely. I told my parents, and other "good" Christian friends that I lived on my own when really my boyfriend was living with me.

I was living in sin up to my eyeballs and I knew it. I thought in my heart, " I can choose to do the right thing another day, this feels good so I'm doing it!". But the truth is SIN brings DEATH.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Romans 6:3
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I was dying, not living. I wasn't living to the potential that I know God had created me for. The Word of God was hidden in my heart and I couldn't escape the Truth!!!

My parents continued to PRAY for me and LOVE me. I felt a change coming.

In June 2002, I was sitting in my studio apartment and I had a day of visitation. God clearly set two choices before me. To the right I saw myself as a mother - filthy, strung out on drugs and dragging her unhappy kids behind her. I knew that is NOT what I wanted for me and my future children.

To the left I could only see a few feet in front of me. It was a dark path, an unknown one. But there was peace, joy and LIFE! I knew that God was inviting me to follow HIM! To walk by faith, not by sight. To trust His plan for my life - that it was a good one.

Only by God's great grace did I choose Him. (John 15:16)

Choosing to live for Christ and not for my own, fleshly desires has brought such freedom and joy to my heart! I was able to spend the next six months serving in my local church and preparing for Bible school .

I attended Christ for the Nations Institute in 2003 & 2004. Graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a BAS in communications in 2006 and then interned with an outstanding missions organization in 2007 & 2008.

On April 12, 2008 I married a wonderful man of God who puts my needs and desires before his own. He is a caring father and has such a loving heart. I am blessed by him every day! I am also blessed by my two beautiful children. We are walking in ministry as a family and I look forward to where God will lead us in the future.

Jeff and I on our wedding day

Our sweet babies - almost a year ago



I could have never imagined where God would take me when I said YES to Him and to His will. It is better than anything I could have dreamed up and is the answer to my heart's deepest desires!

If you have not given Jesus Christ complete control of your past, present and future will you do so today? He is not power-hungry but full of mercy and compassionate. (Psalm 145:8) He has more GOOD in store for you and your life than you can imagine!

Sorry this got so long. I pray you are blessed by my testimony of God's goodness.


Blessings,

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